Why doesn't my Doctor help me with meds?

[patzy]

I have chronic anxiety and panic attacks (I usually wake up every night with a panic attack). I've talked with my Doctor, even cried in frustration, but he just thinks I "need to get out and go to public lectures or go to local cafes where they meet with people with similar interests." !!! I suffer horribly from agoraphobia, panic attacks. It has caused me not to eat but minimally, shake most of the time, think of suicide as it has hindered my life so much. I'm on Disabiity. Tried suicide 3 times. Hospitalized for over a week on last attempt as I almost succeeded.

He refuses to address the anxiety. He prescribed Wellbutrin 150mg every day. and 1mg clonazepam .05mg 2x a day.
I save up the clonazepam for night so it will help me to go to sleep and now I'm using Benadryl when I wake up with panic attacks to attempt to calm myself and get more sleep.  Last visit I asked if I could try  Buspar and he said "it doesn't work, it is a placebo."  Well then help me with something else!!! He caved and upped the Wellbutrin to 300mg at night. It isn't touching the anxiety and my life is hell.
Years back I had a doctor that gave me klonopin prescription for 1 mg 3xs a day as needed, over time after using it before I would face a panic inducing situation/s I was down to just 1mg, a day even tho he still gave me prescriptions for 1mg 3x a day.  I got better, so much !!
This Doctor either is really stupid, likes making me suffer and beg, or hasn't a clue.
Does anyone have a Doctor that helps and addresses their anxiety, because to be honest it is killing or will kill me.

Thanks for any input.
P.S.I'm on Medicare/MediCal so my choice of doctors are limited or are they??? I don't know where to turn.

[patzy]

He is a psychiatrist but since I'm on Medicare, his patient load I imagine is very high, even tho I get an hour with him, but now that I've stood up to him the last appt. was a battle with him being disgusted that I'd seek info online and from people online. etc etc..

I'll look into what my options are...thanks so much.

[ryno23]

yeah it causes dry mouth, but will definitely not be as stimulating as the other antidepressants.  in fact, for the first couple days or so you are very tired until your body adjusts.  Also, Wellbutrin is not an SSRI.  SSRIs affect serotonin, which usually has a calming affect.  Wellbutrin affects norepinephrine and dopamine which stimulates.  I would HIGHLY recommend switching doctors.  Make sure it is a psychiatrist (not a general practitioner) preferably one that is associated with a respectable hospital.  Good luck.

[patzy]

There will be a continuing battle over the antidepressant, as he wants me to continue with the 'upped' dose of Wellburtrin 300mg.  I mentioned about the stimulating part, and got a long lecture on how "basically SSRIs are about the same in their methodology  blah blah blah....."  I was happy to get the klonopin battle won, and will do my research on the SSRI's (once again) and go armed to my next appt. I

Doe Mirtazapine or Remeron cause dry mouth???

[ryno23]

Congratulations!!  I am so glad to hear the end result was good after reading these posts.  I just went through a similar episode with my psychiatrist (actually 3 different ones) until I found one that would acknowledge the severity of my symptoms and the need for klonopin.  P.S  Mirtazapine or Remeron (an antidepressant) is excellent for sleep if you continue to have problems, and it is absolutely not addictive so your dr. should have no problem perscribing it.  

[patzy]

I was very proactive and walked out with the meds I wanted. A whole year of just fighting to get through each day, when he could have made my life so much easier.  I felt so much better picking up the meds at the Pharmacy. Just having them in my hands helped!  Now I have more control over my anxiety ....again, I just feel saddened at a year lost, due to his reluctance to listen to me/understand.
So folks, fight!!! If you've had success with meds and are being denied them, demand them!!

[cj29]

Let us know how your appointment went.  I am glad that you are proactive in your treatment...just don't give up hope!

[patzy]

Thanks for the info. I am going to talk Lexapro with him today. I got hold of him via phone to make sure today was the walk-in clinic day...he seemed puzzled hearing from me and even more so when I said "I'll see you today then!"  I'm armed with the letter I wrote him and will hand it to him and sit back a let him read. I will refuse to let him use up the whole hour chatting about books and going to cafes. If he doesn't get 'it' after reading my letter, I will know it is time to tell him I'll have to find another doctor.
I hate how people have to fight with doctors to get help. I miss my past doctor (retired now :(  as he treated me like an adult with a mind and not just someone who complains to be complaining.  Do they think we would choose to have our lives like this if we had a choice? Frustrating big time!

P.S. Yes it is the waking up with huge anxiety and it is a struggle to get out of bed it is so debilitating!!

Thank you all for your responses and advice and know I wish you all the best also!

[AnxiousGurl]

Yes, Im on lexapro since Dec 2008 and klonopin when needed, it helped me SO much, but besides that, I had ALOT bottled up inside, and what my mind couldn't handle my body took, so I suffered from chronic anxiety, panic, ptsd, agorphobia, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety, and im young. Finally I hit rock bottom, went to see a therapist at a clinic that goes by income, and they set you up with a doctor so the doctor and therapist work together to see whats the best fit. Go to another doctor, and see if you have a health clinic nearby. Now I am able to go into the grocery stores, to the movies, out to eat, drive without panic, and its just been a total turnaround. It took me 10 years to get the help I needed, it was the scariest thing for me at first and I HAD to do it because I did not want to live like that anymore, and it was the BEST decision I ever made. I wish you the best of luck and please find a doctor who cares.
P.S. I now notice after 4 months of being on the lexapro that my morning anxiety isnt even there anymore before I even take the medicine, so it definately helped me, I hope it can do the same for you.......let us know, we are always here for you!

[patzy]

Thanks. The problem is Doctors are tight-fisted when it comes to prescribing klonopin in the amounts that help! 1mg a day is not enough as I explained in my first post. Well I sat down yesterday shaking and crying and wrote down my feelings and how I felt the Doctor was not taking me seriously, and how serious my situations is!  He has a walk--in clinic today and there I will be holding my letter, this is his last chance. IF I have to I will go to the ER.
Yes the Wellbutrin does NOTHING (except perhaps keeping me awake as said) One doctor awhile back said if the Paxil I was taking wasn't helping (I had terrible itching as a side effect!!!) to try Lexapro.  Anyone know about that one??
Thanks so much for your replies and I'll report back what happens today. I feel sharing experiences gives others info and ideas also. :)

[cj29]

Can you see another doctor?  I agree with jakegorzen with the Klonopin as well.  In my opinion, it is one of the best benzos to use for anxiety; and it can be prescribed long term.  But you need to take it regularly as prescribed because it does have a much longer half life than many other benzos, but once it starts working, it really does a good job at what it is designed to do.

Throughout all of this, do you have access to any therapists?  Talking with a professional that is trained to deal with issues like this really helps IMMENSLY...unfortunately, many general doctors don't deal with anxiety issues as much and don't really help sometimes, but do not give up hope.  You WILL get through this and keep us posted!

[jakegorzen]

Wellbutrin really isnt for anxiety..in fact it will in about99% of cases CAUSE anxiety, it is a mild stimulant, and that is what is probably keeping you up at night.
I have a question for you

Why are you still taking it if abviously its not working?
I suggest weaning off the wellbutrin, then take your total daily dose of Klonopin, take half mornings, half nights.
Give it like 2 weeks, I am 100% positive youll feel better.

I also suggest that you switch MDs for your mental problems, because I dont think your current one has allot of knowledge on these types of drugs.

He was right on the Buspar though, but it would probably work better for you then what the wellbutrin would

Yea there limited, Medicare *****, lol you know that